Are you sick of American Politics?

Asked Feb 27, 2008, 12:55 PM
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19 Answers

I certainly am…but there was a ray of hope yesterday.

In a weird way, it was the most heartening thing I've seen on the election trail this year. Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, stood up and defended the honor of his potential Democratic rivals, thus distancing himself from one of the men who had just warmed up the Cincinnati crowd for him.
"I will treat them with respect," McCain said. "We will have a respectful debate."

Yes, I am sick of American politics. I am sick of the smearing, sniping, feeding frenzy of the media, and the list goes on. It is like we somehow cannot expect our candidates to be human - they have to be so perfect with no mistakes ever, no frailities. As if we stand on some pinnacle of righteousness.

I am not talking about gross errors of judgement or criminal activities or racist remarks or hiding Nazi's in the basement. Why anyone would want to be held under a microscope with the dirt diggers is beyond me.

"I will treat them with respect," McCain said. "We will have a respectful debate."

McCain had to after Cunningham was criticized, which is questionable to previous knowledge. More-so though, I suspect if the Clinton's bow out of the race that would clear up much of the sneaky tactics. Politics as usual? How much more of the Clinton's and Bush's can I stomach? I'm way past tired of both clans. Campaign managers over the past thirty years, both major parties, are often to blame for doing their own candidates an injustice. I can't say that I'm fed up with American politics, I'm hopeful. However I'd definitely like to see some politicians from both parties walk the plank for acting is if they represent any of us.

McCain had to after Cunningham was criticized, which is questionable to previous knowledge. More-so though, I suspect if the Clinton's bow out of the race that would clear up much of the sneaky tactics. Politics as usual?! How much more of the Clinton's and Bush's can I stomach? I'm way past tired of both clans. Campaign managers over the past thirty years, both major parties, are often to blame for doing their own candidates an injustice. I can't say that I'm fed up with American politics, I'm hopeful. However I'd definitely like to see some politicians from both parties walk the plank for acting is if they represent any of us.

Your first sentence is a bit confusing…it was my understanding McCain said what he said after immediately following Cunningham on stage.

I believe the talk show Hosts feed into bad politics first and then the News media plays off that. Are we to believe that our elected officials are as cutthroat as it appears, or is it that they are simply a reflection of the status quo?

Your first sentence is a bit confusing…it was my understanding McCain said what he said after immediately following Cunningham on stage.

According to the Dayton Daily, McCain said he was unaware, suggesting he had to be notified of the situation.

"I apologize for it,” McCain told reporters, addressing the issue before they had a chance to ask the Arizona senator about Cunningham's comments. “I did not know about these remarks, but I take responsibility for them. I repudiate them,” he said. “My entire campaign I have treated Senator Obama and Senator (Hillary Rodham) Clinton with respect. I will continue to do that throughout this campaign."

I'm going to check the mail and then take a nap, it's my day off. There something more to the story on how Cunningham is treating the fallout, so I'm going to tune into the news later for an update. Perhaps the talking head has now decided not to back McCain. Some may say it's like a dog and pony show for the effect. I personally know McCain on a business level, and for the most part I think he's on the up and up. Although I do question his economic ability to help this nation. In fact one of the reasons I will not support his candidacy. In the finality maybe Cunningham's mouth unbridled is the culprit.

Originally Posted by Dark_crow

I believe the talk show Hosts feed into bad politics first and then the News media plays off that.

Talk show hosts are commentators, not to be confused with the actual raw news.

Originally Posted by Dark_crow

Are we to believe that our elected officials are as cutthroat as it appears, or is it that they are simply a reflection of the status quo?

I think we need to be careful and not paint with a broad brush, but there are individuals that lend to false expectations. Fact is that most of the working middle class does not see themselves as being properly represented in Washington.

All politicians continue to promise lower taxes, more social programs, and a balanced budget.

Election promises differ in different government systems. In the Westminster System where almost all power resides in the office of the Prime Minister voters know where to ascribe blame for broken promises. In presidential systems such as that in the United States where power is more diffuse and ultimate responsibility harder to pin down, it is harder for an electorate to punish politicians for broken promises. For instance in the United States a presidential candidate can freely make promises of an impractically large tax cut in the firm confidence that the Senate will reduce it to a manageable level.

I'm just getting warmed up... this is the most interesting election in decades!

I was very pleased to see McSame put down that right wing riff raff from the Republican Noise and Abuse Propaganda Machine that was trying to cause fear in the ignorant by constantly repeating Obama's middle name, Hussein. That was an honorable act... the 100 years of war he promises, not so honorable.

The election for the Republicans hangs on convincing American citizens that *Endless War* in Iraq is a good thing. That with a deep recession looming on the home front.

Hay Choux…I’d bet you get your wish:) … Obama, unless something weird happens. I’ve never seen the Democrats so pumped up and they will be hitting the ballot boxes in record numbers. That alone would do it but when you add the low number of Republicans who will turn out…it isn’t even going to be a close race.

Anyway, it’s over and I’ve lost interest now. Yeah, I thought that was a good move on McCains part.

All politicians continue to promise lower taxes, more social programs, and a balanced budget.

Election promises differ in different government systems. In the Westminster System where almost all power resides in the office of the Prime Minister voters know where to ascribe blame for broken promises. In presidential systems such as that in the United States where power is more diffuse and ultimate responsibility harder to pin down, it is harder for an electorate to punish politicians for broken promises. For instance in the United States a presidential candidate can freely make promises of an impractically large tax cut in the firm confidence that the Senate will reduce it to a manageable level.

All politicians continue to promise lower taxes, more social programs, and a balanced budget.

Who is frangipanis?

All politicians do not continue to promise lower taxes; one party, the Democrat Party, is pledged and hell-bent to raise taxes. If there were any credibility to this assertion, the Democrat Party would assist the GOP in passing the line-item veto, and that is not going to happen.

Tired of politics? I certainly am…but there was a ray of hope yesterday..... In a weird way, it was the most heartening thing I've seen on the election trail this year. Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, stood up and defended the honor of his potential Democratic rivals,

Hello DC:

Nahh. I like it. It's what I DO. What? You think I'm on this board to improve my typing skills?? I'm here to effect change!

By the way, not surprisingly, I saw the thing the other night exactly the opposite from you. Whoda thunk that? I saw McCain playing the good cop, while his bad cop kept calling Obama, Hussein.

If it doesn't happen again, I'll apologize to you. But, it's going to happen again - and it's going to be worse - MUCH WORSE. You think this country is going to take the high road when a black man is about to be elected president?? I don't think so at ALL.

In a weird way, it was the most heartening thing I've seen on the election trail this year. Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, stood up and defended the honor of his potential Democratic rivals, thus distancing himself from one of the men who had just warmed up the Cincinnati crowd for him.
"I will treat them with respect," McCain said. "We will have a respectful debate."

I saw Stewart's impression of Cain. I thought it was funny . Cain thought it was funny too .

I agree with Cain... it's not that he's black... Stewart isn't racist... Stewart doesn't like a conservative black. Cain and Clarence Thomas don't fit into the liberal world view of what blacks should be.

However ,it's valid to point out the hypocrisy. Had it been a conservative using an 'Amos and Andy' voice about President Obama then the outrage would've gone viral. I suspect Stewart would've gotten greater heat if he had used the voice for an Obama segment instead of Cain . In fact ;
I'm sure such a move would've ended with Stewart being unemployed .

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